My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so

with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

a little

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

Rachel must close her eyes and make

Rachel must blow out the

head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

still lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t

girl who wasn’t even at

and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles

you!” their

faces. Just like that, the strangers

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been

and headed toward the

her apartment and about to

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

out on business? she

the house and shut

you’ve been

she took two steps back. Why

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

he approached her, forcing her back inch by

idea what

she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to